‘Arms Proliferation Poses Threat To Nigeria’s National Security’
Former President of Retired Army, Navy, Air-Force Officers Association (RANAO), Lt. Col.Yakubu Anifowoshe (Rtd), has warned against the increasing rate of illegal importation of arms and ammunition into the country, saying it poses a great threat to national security.
Speaking with newsmen on the 57th independence anniversary of the country in Ibadan, he said that this should be checked by all possible means to avoid its catastrophic implication on the citizenry.
It would be recalled that personnel of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted arms and ammunitions illegally imported to the country by yet to be identified individuals or corporate organizations.
Anifowoshe, a war veteran, who noted that arms proliferation was not strange in the country, expressed worry that the current agitations across the country made the recent importation suspicious.
He called for thorough investigation on the part of the country’s security agencies.
The former RANAO President lamented that most of the people causing trouble in the country have the opportunity to run away when the bubble bursts, urging the leaders of the country to do all within their power to nip all the emerging crises in the bud.
Citing his Nigerian civil war experience, the retired Army officer said, “during the war and thereafter, many families were separated, many homes destroyed, some children didn’t know their parents, I don’t think the country can survive another war; we may not see the end of it.”
He maintained that no force can keep the country together, saying there is need for persuasion and roundtable discussion.
“It is necessary for people to sit together; and one doesn’t have to be selfish, sit round the table and chart a way forward. Nobody, who fought the last civil war will like to see another war. Flexibility is one of the principles of war and it is hoped that President Muhammadu Buhari will keep to this, having listened to what Nigerians have not been saying before.
“Lack of communication and understanding leads to war. People have to be straight-forward and not be selfish. Igbos believe in what they are saying, they can’t be convinced otherwise, if there’s roundtable discussion, where decisions are taken and what belongs to Caesar is given unto Caesar, there will be less tension”, he added.
Anifowoshe remarked that people are agitating for restructuring because of marginalization and charged the leaders to engage in consultations, stressing that the present situation calls for referendum.
